Art Anderson Associates led the development of a business plan to provide high-speed passenger-only ferry service from Bellingham to Friday Harbor. The Whatcom Council of Governments, in partnership with the Port of Bellingham and the Port of Friday Harbor envision the ferry service as a critical commercial link between the two thriving communities. The plan builds on the results of a demonstration service, which operated in the winter months of 2005-2006.

The business plan encompassed all aspects of the prospective service, addressing its viability, operations and impact on the local economy. Art Anderson Associates utilized its proprietary FerryPro™ software to develop an operational model and pro-forma financial statements. Our ridership and financial analyses established the baseline for service scheduling, pricing and compensation for the contracted operator.

An economic impact model was developed by our subconsultant, the Western Washington University Center for Economic Vitality, and we examined the economic “ripple effect” of the infusion of new jobs and the resultant commerce from the new connection between the cities. We also analyzed the cost of alternative travel, both in financial (ticket and travel cost) and environmental terms (greenhouse gas emissions). The result of our efforts is a firm foundation on which a successful service can be built and operated.